Why is this subject, “Where Wisdom Meets,” important in the world?
The subject of my book is the joys of grandparenting and celebrating the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. This subject is important in the world right now because the first seven years of a child’s life are foundational. Learning self-regulation, good habits, and a broad understanding of life are essential. They grow in an environment of secure connections, strong rhythms, healthy nutrition, and interactions with nature. Healthy children become healthy adults who contribute to a healthy society. My book explores building a healthy relationship with my grandchildren in their early years and provides insights for new parents and grandparents.
What is the pressing issue, right, and how are you addressing it?
The pressing issue right now is connection. Both the elderly and children who spend lots of time on devices are experiencing loneliness. Many of today’s young children were born in a pandemic where interacting with others was limited. Devices do not replace in-person human connections. Children need to build secure relationships to feel secure enough themselves. Grandparents are well-suited and often willing to play a key role in connecting with grandchildren and supporting young families. Intergenerational connections can prevent loneliness. I am addressing this issue through my book, Where Wisdom Meets Wonder, which provides a template for connecting.
Judith Frizlen Biography
What is your background in this subject?
I am an Early Childhood Education Expert and Founder of the Rose Garden Early Childhood Center in Buffalo, NY. When I became a grandmother, I realized that over thirty years of professional experience provided a unique vantage point for observing our grandchildren. The wonder of human development filled me with joy and gratitude, which overflowed into story-telling. To spread the joy, I shared my experiences in Where Wisdom Meets Wonder, Forty Stories of Grandma Love.
What is something that most people don’t know about you, and What are your passions outside of your career?
Most people don’t know that I played keyboards in a band in my early twenties! Outside of my career, I love outdoor recreation: hiking, bicycling, and kayaking. Besides that, I enjoy the local culture, including art, music, and literary events. My husband is an architect, and we love to explore interesting buildings wherever we go.
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support, and why?
I am an advocate for play and anything that supports the healthy development of young children, in particular, quality childcare programs that serve working parents. The health of our families and our local economies depend on it. I founded the Rose Garden Early Childhood Center in Buffalo, NY, to support educating young children!
What is next for you?
I will continue to teach in-person and online training for early childhood educators and parents. My plan also includes publishing a children’s book I have written, and I am considering a foray into fiction writing.
Where Wisdom Meets Wonder
Tell me about your book.
My book, Where Wisdom Meets Wonder, is about the precious everyday moments we share with our grandchildren. They are so enriching and wonderful I had to share them! I find that spending time with the grandchildren awakens in me a playful spirit and a sense of joy and wonder. It makes me feel young! Where Wisdom Meets Wonder speaks to readers who have moved into the Third Act, it also calls out to parents of young children. These stories will give parents a reassuring glimpse of what’s to come. This book is a confident statement about the turf that only a person in the wisdom years can command. It vindicates the dignity which, perhaps, in our obsession with what dazzles the eye, has been lost in our meager evaluation of aging.
Guide to Trusted Brands of Hot Water Systems(Opens in a new browser tab)
Where can people buy the book?
It is available in two small stores: Fitz Books and Waffles and Shopcraft in Buffalo as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Target. You can buy it online at https://www.amazon.com/Where-Wisdom-Meets-Wonder-Stories/dp/B0CDZ2HLKZ.